Frederick Kenneth Christopher, a loving and devoted husband and father, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday October 8th, 2020 after a long and courageous battle with kidney disease. He was 79 years old.
“Ken,” as all knew him, was born on April 1, 1941 in Brookline MA. He was the son of Alfred
Christopher and Florence (Puccia) Christopher, brother to Lorraine (Christopher) Rose and alifelong Medford resident.
After graduating from Medford High School in 1958, Ken continued his education earning an Associate’s Degree with Honors in Sciences from Massachusetts Bay Community College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance and Business Management from Boston University, all while working full time for the U.S. Army at Natick Laboratories Research Development and Command as a Draftsman.
Ken was later promoted to a position as a Lead Management Analyst Specialist supervising teams on numerous high level projects for the government. During his tenure of over 30+ years of government service, he received numerous awards and commendations for his excellence in service and leadership.
Ken was also a graduate of Lee Institute of Real Estate earning a license as a broker. He sold Real Estate on nights and weekends sometimes outpacing the full time agents. Because of his high work ethics, honesty, integrity and respect for others, he was offered the job of office manager at one point.
Ken met his future wife, Bernadette Sannella, when they were only teenagers and were later married in 1962. They recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary and have been together for over 62 years.
Ken had a passion for all kinds of music and was an avid saxophone and clarinet player. He loved outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, camping, and the ocean where he took his family on memorable deep sea fishing trips and summer vacations.
Ken was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, grandfather and friend who always put his family and friends first before his own needs. He took his family on many memorable vacations to Florida and Canada and on weekend car rides for apple picking and many other fun places and landmarks throughout New England. Ken really enjoyed the seasons of New England and spending time with his family and friends in his Townhome at Samoset Village, on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.
Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Ken managed his illness with courage, strength and
grace, and he wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible. On his final days, hewas surrounded by his loving and devoted wife, his three sons and other family members who he adored more than anything else in the world.
He is survived by his loving wife Bernadette (Sannella) Christopher and his three sons Frederick Kenneth Christopher Jr. and wife Karen, Kevin M. Christopher and wife Kathleen, and Brian Christopher. He especially loved all of his grandchildren David, Jesse, Alyssa, Kenny and Ryan. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he each loved dearly but he held a special place in his heart for his niece Karen Rose who he said was more like a daughter to him than a niece. Karen used her medical knowledge and skills to care for her uncle for many years. He is the brother of the late Lorraine (Christopher) Rose and brother-in-law to her husband the late David Rose, brother-in-law to Marie (Sannella) Forti and her husband the late Paul Forti and brother-in-law to John Sannella and his wife Maureen (Horan) Sannella.
Ken’s funeral will be from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, Friday, October 16th at 10 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Raphael Church, 521 High St., Medford at 11 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family to celebrate Ken’s life. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, October 15th, from 5 to 8 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. All attending must wear face masks and adhere to social distancing protocols.
Ken’s family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ken’s name to the National Kidney Foundation Inc., 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016 or online at www.kidney.org/donation